Leclerc Slams 'F***ing Embarrassing' Wet Las Vegas GP Qualifying
Charles Leclerc was furious after qualifying ninth for the Las Vegas GP, calling it "f***ing embarrassing" over team radio. His Ferrari SF-25 also suffered an engine cut-out mid-lap. Leclerc slammed the team's persistent wet-weather struggles, a problem he claims has plagued Ferrari since 2019, hindering their competitive edge and raising concerns for future seasons.
Charles Leclerc expressed extreme frustration after qualifying a disappointing ninth for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, labeling the performance "f***ing embarrassing" in an untelevised radio rant. The session was further marred by his Ferrari SF-25 engine cutting out mid-lap, highlighting persistent wet-weather struggles that Leclerc claims have plagued the team since he joined.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's inability to perform in wet conditions is a long-standing Achilles' heel, hindering their championship aspirations. Leclerc's outburst and the concerning engine issue underscore deeper problems beyond driver error, potentially impacting Ferrari's fight for P2 in the Constructors' Championship against Mercedes and raising questions about their preparedness for future regulation changes.
The Details:
- Qualifying Performance: Leclerc qualified P9 on a drying Las Vegas track, a result he considered unacceptable given the car's potential.
- Engine Failure: During his qualifying lap, Leclerc's Ferrari SF-25 engine suddenly switched off, an incident captured on untelevised footage. He successfully restarted it after instructions from his race engineer.
- Radio Rant: Untelevised team radio revealed Leclerc's raw frustration: "Fing embarrassing. Fing hell. I don't get how we can be so off the pace. There is like zero grip. Zero f***ing grip."
- Long-standing Issue: Leclerc stated that Ferrari has "struggled massively in the wet" since he joined in 2019, despite continuous efforts to find a solution. He noted that former teammate Carlos Sainz and current teammate Lewis Hamilton have observed similar issues compared to other teams.
- Tyre Warm-up: While acknowledging tyre warm-up is a factor, Leclerc believes the problem extends beyond it, as previous attempts to address it yielded no success.
- Car Adjustments: Leclerc clarified that the team couldn't make significant car changes for the wet qualifying session, as earlier practice sessions showed competitive pace in mixed conditions, but not fully wet.
- Driving Experience: Leclerc described driving the SF-25 in wet, cold, night-time street circuit conditions as "very, very difficult," emphasizing the immense gap to the front-runners.
The big picture:
Ferrari's wet-weather woes are not new. Leclerc highlighted that this consistent underperformance dates back to previous generations of cars, suggesting a systemic issue within the team's car design philosophy or operational approach rather than a one-off anomaly. This persistent weakness is particularly concerning as Formula 1 heads into new technical regulations for 2026, which will bring sweeping changes to both chassis and engine.
What's next:
Ferrari, currently fourth in the Constructors' Championship, trails Mercedes by 36 points for P2. Addressing these deep-seated wet-weather challenges and ensuring engine reliability are critical not just for salvaging their current season, but also for building a competitive foundation for the significant regulation changes coming in 2026. If these issues persist, Ferrari risks falling further behind their rivals and failing to capitalize on the reset the new rules present.